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March 14, 2024

20-unit East Hartford apartment development clears first hurdle

Contributed Design plan for 81 and 87 Main St., East Hartford.
By Michael Puffer

East Hartford’s Planning and Zoning Commission, on Wednesday, gave the first of two approvals needed for a 20-unit, market-rate development on Main Street near the Glastonbury line.

Sergei Gerasimov, a South Glastonbury businessman active in East Hartford, estimates a building cost of up to $3 million for two, 10-unit buildings on the nearly acre-sized site at 81 and 87 Main St., near the Glastonbury town line.

Town staff describe the proposal as well suited for this area, where a string of houses on a fast-moving street fades into dense retail plazas at the town line. Several area residents came out in opposition, claiming the development clashes with the single-family atmosphere around it, and would add to an already perilous traffic situation.

A study supplied with the application, however, reports Gerasimov’s development will not worsen traffic conditions.

The commission ultimately sided with the expert reports and staff, voting to approve a planned design district for the parcels. The development will also need to pass a site plan review by the commission. In its vote Wednesday, the commission asked Gerasimov to consider adding sidewalks to the side of the development bordering Porter Street.

Gerasimov bought the two vacant Main Street lots for $50,000 in 2020. The Planning and Zoning Commission turned down a 24-unit proposal last year, citing parking concerns. The new plans reduced two units from each building, opening additional parking.

Gerasimov said the two, three-story buildings at 81 and 87 Main St. will have parking underneath, with electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle parking. He expects construction to last up to eight months and plans to begin as soon as approvals are secured. 

Gerasimov also owns a roughly 3,600-square-foot, multiunit retail plaza at 112 Main St., where he operates the Maple & Main liquor store. 

He owns additional retail property outside of East Hartford as well. He owns a vacant lot at 116-118 Main St., where a building had burned. Garasimov said he is working with the town on plans to build a mixed-use building there with four apartment units over retail space.

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